According to research, Jumeirah Bay Island dominates the ultra-luxury market with an astounding Dh13,068 per square foot, much exceeding other wealthy neighborhoods.
Jumeirah Second and Umm Al Sheif are the next most expensive neighborhoods, with prices above Dh7,500 per square foot, according to research by Driven Properties and Forbes. This indicates that there is a strong demand for villas and low-density seaside communities. The sustained dominance of well-known prestige locales like La Mer, Bluewater’s Island, Palm Jumeirah, and Emirates Hills is supported by a combination of exclusivity, restricted availability, and ideal waterfront or central siting.
As demonstrated by the high price points in these districts, Dubai has effectively rebranded itself as a destination for luxury real estate, appealing to both foreign purchasers and ultra-high net worth individuals who are looking to preserve their capital and maintain their lifestyle. Strong capital values in premium districts keep them appealing, while high transaction volumes are being driven by affordable and mid-market areas like Jumeirah Village Circle.
According to analysts, the city’s overall market performance aligns well with these premium locales. The strength of the luxury and value categories simultaneously points to a well-established, multi-layered market that caters to a variety of customer profiles with distinctive products around the city.
Price increases that are steady and indicate market confidence
In the first half of 2025, the average price of ready-to-move-in residential houses increased by 64%, from Dh1,002 per square foot in Q1 2021 to Dh1,642 per square foot in Q2 2025.
Strong end-user and investor demand, particularly for completed inventory that offers instant rental income and less risk, is reflected in this growth’s consistent pace.
With growth evenly distributed across the villa and apartment divisions, the market is showing good pace without becoming overheated.
Converging prices for apartments and villas indicate widespread demand.
Villas increased from Dh1,010 per square foot to Dh1,903 per square foot within the same time period, while apartments increased from Dh1,036 per square foot in Q1 2021 to Dh1,763 per square foot in Q1 2025. Prices for both asset classes almost equaled each other by Q2 2025 (Dh1,903–1,904 per square foot), indicating a balanced demand for both family-oriented homes and apartments.
“This convergence suggests a mature, diversified buyer base, where both investor and end-user segments are active across property types depending on location, amenities, and long-term value,” the report said.
With total quarterly transactions rising from just over 10,000 in Q1 2021 to more than 51,000 in Q2 2025, Dubai’s residential market has seen a robust and steady upward trend in transaction volumes over the last four years. Population growth, government incentives (such the Golden Visa), and ongoing investor confidence have all contributed to this increase.
As a result of developers’ ambitious launch pipelines and buyers’ desire for flexible payment plans, branded residences, and lifestyle-led communities, off-plan sales have more than doubled, from 4,219 in Q1 2021 to 36,184 in Q2 2025. Ready property sales, on the other hand, increased steadily but more slowly, hitting 15,170 in the second quarter of 2025. This difference highlights how Dubai has changed into a developer-led market, with off-plan stock now accounting for more than 70% of all transactions during the period. Nonetheless, the consistent rise in ready sales points to ongoing demand from end users and yield-seeking investors who place a high value on rental revenue and instant occupancy.
Strong price increases due to apartments and supply that prioritizes quality
In the first half of 2025, off-plan residential prices in Dubai rose 38% from Dh1,354 per square foot in Q1 2021 to Dh1,866 per square foot in Q2 2025. The apartment category, which continuously reported increasing price points and reached Dh2,288 per square foot in Q2 2025, has been driving this rise.
Demand for well-located, branded, and lifestyle-driven complexes is shown in the steady increasing trend, which is bolstered by alluring developer payment schemes and robust appetite among investors. The market appears to be approaching a more stable and mature pricing cycle, driven by fundamentals rather than speculation, as indicated by the growth curve’s recent flattening since 2024.
The cost of an off-plan villa more than doubled from Dh834 to Dh1,682 per square foot, which is indicative of the rising desire for roomy, low-density living in family-friendly, integrated communities.
“The narrowing gap between apartment and villa prices points to broad-based buyer confidence, with end-users and investors showing strong interest across asset types. As price growth moderates, the off-plan segment appears to be shifting into a more balanced and strategic phase, where project quality, location, and developer credibility are increasingly influencing purchasing decisions,” the report said.